Dishwashers - Refrigerators - Ovens and Stoves - Dryers - Washing Machine 1 - Washing Machine 2 - Gas Appliances
Q. My washer leaves rust stains on clothes. How can I prevent this from ruining my clothes?A. The irst thing to do is figure out where the rust is coming from. It may not always be the washer. Water can leave rust marks if it is high in iron deposits. It may need a filter or water system checked. The inner and outer basket, or tank cover may have started to rust. You have to remove the agitator, inner basket to check properly. If tanks are rusting, these possibly need to be replaced. The washer can leave marks on the clothes; most look more like black marks but some washers can leave a rust stain. Chemical reactions between soaps and hand or acne cream can leave a rust-like stain. After all that being said, you may want a service technician to come out and check all of the above. If you have rust stains on clothing, do not use bleach, as it will set the stain and usually make it worse. A product like "Rover-Rust and stain remover" may be able to help clean the washer and laundry.
Q. My washer seems to be working except for the agitator, which will not work back and forth. I have been looking for a parts manual and have been unable to find one. What is the part that may be in need of replacement? The space where the washer is placed is very limited and I really do not want to have to take it apart more than once.
A. Chances are the cogs in the agitator have worn down. Take off the agitator's cap. This should just pop off. You may need to remove another cover on the inside. The cogs should be in that. It will be obvious if they are worn. Then, write down your model number, go to the local appliance parts store, and tell them what you need.
Q. My washing machine is not going into spin cycle or emptying water. It goes completely through all its steps on the timer, and then I come back to a full tub of water. Spin does not work in any setting. I have checked the door switch and looked at the timer, but that did not seem to be the problem. The first time it happened I turned the timer directly to spin and it worked, but that did not work this time. Am I overlooking a sensor or something?
A. You could have a bad timer or a bad motor. You need a good test meter and a wiring diagram. You will need to test for voltage at the motor start switch. If there is no voltage, then check for power at the timer. If the timer has power coming into it, but not going to the motor, then it is probably the timer. Are you sure the lid switch and its wiring are OK? It is also possible for the water level switch to cause a problem like this, depending on how it is wired. You might want to call a professional if you are not comfortable doing voltage checks on live circuits.
Q. I recently tried to start a load of clothes. I noticed that the washer was leaking from the back left side onto the floor. What could it be, and can I fix it myself?
A. That leak may not be in the machine. It may be one of the hoses going into it. Look to find out where the water is actually coming from. If it is a hose from the faucet behind the machine, the hose can easily be replaced at a low cost. If it is only leaking with hot water, check the water inlet valve at the rear of machine where the hoses connect, top left rear facing it. If it is leaking and running down the left side, it is the wrong side for the pump unless it running across the floor and out the left side. If it were the hose, it would leak all the time. It sounds like the hot side has gone bad on the inlet valve. You can save several dollars by fixing this yourself.
Tilt it back and look for two screws, near each corner on the bottom front. Remove these screws and pull the bottom toward you. It should lift off the clips on top. Run the machine carefully, moving parts and see if the leak is actually coming from the left rear and from somewhere up high. First try cold water, then hot. If it leaks on one and not the other, then it is the valve. Be sure to unplug the machine if you decide to change this part. Also you might want to mark where the wires go back to be sure you do not reverse the hot and cold water, as well as fittings and connections. The water leakage evidence should be visible. If not, wash a load and watch for where water leakage occurs. Just look. Do not touch since there will be electrical current supplied.
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